Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 261 – Under the tree Yes, we must look at quarterly returns and our annual profit and loss balance in our business. But if we only measure success in short-term increments, we risk missing the larger calling we’ve been given—to bear fruit that lasts. “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…”. John 15:16 Today, Terri and I...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 260 – The most dangerous time You want to know the most dangerous time for your company? When things are going well. “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 259 – Hanging by your toes Last weekend Terri and I had the distinct joy of watching two of our granddaughters in a dance recital.  “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Our eldest granddaughter performed an acrobatic dance routine that included hanging from a ring ten feet above the ground...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 258 – Haven Have you ever thought of your business as the safest place in the day for some of your employees? ““Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:28–30 I was hosting a panel...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 257 – The awefull partnership with Jesus Bear with me on this, dear pilgrims, when I mean awe-full, I do not mean the current meaning of the word awful, as pertaining to bad or incompetent, but to the original Middle English meaning of aueful, commanding great respect or deference, worthy of reverence, awe-inspiring.   “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 256 – The end in mind Did I ever tell you how much I hate swimming? “…and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”” Hebrews 12:1b,2a It might surprise you, considering I was once a nationally ranked swimmer. But standing at the edge of the pool fills me with dread. I hate the shock of cold and...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 255 – Loving your enemies Loving your enemies is one of the best business tactics there is. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Luke 6:27 Once more Jesus turns the world’s paradigms upside down. We have lots of ‘enemies’ in business – staff that betray our trust, clients that do not pay, unethical competition. These people can cause real harm. The key...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 254 – An embarrassment of hope Right now, The (Re)Generation Initiative we run is flourishing. We believe that just as the land can be scarred and depleted, so too can the human heart. Our calling is to see both restored—through the power of God’s love, through wise stewardship, and through community that reflects His kingdom on earth. And now, people are giving of their time and resources,...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 253 – Compost I heard a conversation between Kate Bowler and Jeff Chu about how compost reflects the death, decay and resurrection of life in Jesus. A very Lenten thought. I spent time with my friends Darryl and Hazel making compost in Zimbabwe, and I agree with Jeff. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 252 – The edge effect View this in your browser I am an ecologist and one of the principles in ecology is that the most diverse species assemblage is where two ecotypes meet, at the edge of prairie and parkland, parkland and forest, forest and tundra. It’s called the edge effect. “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your...